Overlay Control Center

Several modules in the system include the overlay control center… which in short, lets the user select which GIS type layers are displayed on the “tracking” maps. The system comes with 35 different type of map layers for the user to choose from. In addition Hurrtrak Advanced users have the ability to import their own GIS/Shape files.

The modules that include this feature include Hurrtrak, Observation display, Model Plot and Recon Plot. The image below shows and example of a map with multiple map layers enabled.

In the Hurrtrak module, you must first select the Map Selection tab in order for this option to appear in the command bar (first icon on the left).

In the other modules, the option is always available on the command bar (2^nd icon on the left).

When the Overlay Control Center is selected, the following screen is displayed.

The screen displays the overlays currently loaded, as well as several options. 

These options include: 

Load Overlay – This loads an existing PWC file. 

Import GIS File – This option will convert a Shape™ file into PWC format and load it. The user must have some knowledge of the Shape file, particularly its coordinate system, Ellipsoid and UTM zone (if applicable).

Hide/Show Overlay – This option will change the selected layer from being visible to being invisible, but keeps it loaded at all times. 

Remove Overlay – This option will remove the overlay. 

Autoload overlay – This option will instruct the system to automatically load this layer the next time HURRTRAK system starts up. When you load an overlay it automatically will be loaded the next time. 

Move to Top – This option will take the currently selected overlay and make it the top layer. 

Overlay Options – See more information below.

At the bottom of the main overlay control screen, there are additional options which allow the user to control the different types of layer’s font size and appearance.

Font Size Options: While different layers can be displayed differently, the font size for one type of layer is all the same. i.e. the font for multiple point layers is the same size. Label colors can be assigned by layer. The “outline font” option applies to all layer labels and the background outline is the same as the “land” color.

Remaining Commands

Hide/Show ALL: These options do exactly what they describe

Reset to Default: This option will reset the layers and all attributes to the “as installed” values.

Label Polygon on Lines: Sometimes the display the polygon labels is desired but typically in most cases does not apply to the types of layers we are displaying.

Close (Don’t Save changes): This will close these options and not save any of the change the next time the program module is opened (i.e. restarting Hurrtrak, etc.)

Close: This will close and save the changes for the next time the module is opened.